SSFL Area IV 11-08-08

Commonly known as “The Hill” or simply Rocketdyne, the Santa Susana Field Laboratory spans 2,850 acres in the hills above the Simi and San Fernando valleys. Area IV is the 270-acre parcel in the far west reaches of the lab situated in Burro Flats.

Our October 20, 2009 top story “There Lies the Fault” examines contamination at the Empire State Atomic Development Authority or ESADA. In it, we mention offsite debris from ESADA found in the highlands above Runkle Canyon. The photo of that, #0036, is in the sixth row down, far right. Note that these pipes seem identical to the ones at the ESADA site.

Storm water runoff from the upper Sodium Burn Pit is monitored at Outfall 005, below. This water flows towards the Arroyo Simi. Stormwater flows at Outfall 005 is estimated to be 0.0007 million gallons per day for a 1 year, 24 hour storm event. An advanced pump and treat system is in place at this location, see below in the first set of photographs of these so-called “ENTS,” or Engineered Natural Treatment Systems, in which storm water is collected in a retention basin and pumped through a two stage system using sand and activated carbon filters. The treated storm water is then returned to the drainage channel for release down through the American Jewish University’s Brandeis Bardin property where it ends up in the Arroyo Simi. Groundwater from the Arroyo Simi is blended with imported water and served to residents as tap water in the eastern part of Simi Valley.

Following Outfall 005’s photos is Outfall 006 where storm water runoff from the lower Former Sodium Disposal Facility is monitored. This water also flows towards the Arroyo Simi. Storm water flows at Outfall 006 carry about 0.207 million gallons per day for a 1 year, 24 hour storm event. Extensive structural controls are in place to manage sediment run-off and improve water from this watershed above Simi Valley and includes a gravity fed three stage filter composed of sand, granular activated carbon (GAC), and zeolite.

Outfall 005’s 2008 annual report and Outfall 006’s 2008 data has a comprehensive analysis of any potential pollutants flowing out of these fascinating systems designed to lower the flow of contamination down into the Arroyo Simi and the Los Angeles River on other sides of the lab.

(Click thumbnail to view entire photograph)

The Radioactive Materials Handling Facility (RMHF) in the distance.

The RMHF will be one of the last ETEC complexes to close.

Another gate to Area IV from Runkle Canyon is locked.

Heading west into the highlands of Runkle Canyon.

This fellow on a mini-motorcycle appeared to be on the lookout for something in both Meier and Runkle canyons.

An offsite well in Boeing's "buffer zone" purchased from Brandeis-Bardin as part of a lawsuit settlement.

These pipes were dumped outside of the lab perimeter proper and are identical to those found at the ESADA.

One road up from Runkle Canyon goes through an open gate into Area IV.

Soil sample 66 was taken in this location approximately over the Burro Flats Fault.

This rock assemblage has a mountain lion den in it.

Powerlines between the lab and Simi Valley below.

Outfall 6 at the top of its catchment.

Rain runoff is percholated through various materials as it flows past during rain.

Besides being impressive, these "ENTs" are designed to make goo evaporate which may impact air quality.

ENTs can be complex runoff systems that have an unnatural but distinct aesthetic appeal.

Pipes, troughs, gravel, perforated PVC tubing are part of this outfall.

Towards the bottom of this outfall, runoff finally makes it to this gutter-like passage.

One of the final engineering wonders of this system: the little spigot at the end.

Sandbags throughout Area IV are designed to sluice contaminated water towards the outfalls.

A well monitors the water under the former Sodium Burn Pit.

Outfall 5

Outfall 5 resembles an amphitheater.

This green mobile pump and futuristic truck trailer container are part of this outfall.

This sign informs workers of rare animals and plants in the area in order to not disturb them.

Pumping goo

Area IV at sunset.

The Cold War atmosphere of SSFL becomes more pronounced at sunset.

The ESADA is to the left. Pipes are under the blue tarp.

Looking westward from Rocketdyne's open gate towards Runkle Canyon below and to left in photograph.